Miss Kawanna

Hi, my name is Miss Kawanna. Yes, "Miss" is my real first name.  I was born in Madrid, Spain, and raised across the American map from California to Michigan. I’ve lived a life that’s anything but linear, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’m the proud Founder and Executive Director of “Tha Sweet Life DPR (Different Pathways to Recovery),” www.thasweetlife.org, a Holistic Recovery and Alternative Resources Center serving youth ages 13–26, because healing should be as dynamic and happy as the people seeking it.

With three grown children and five grandchildren, I’ve mastered the art of multitasking, whether it’s juggling certifications (CPSW, YPSS, CHW, CHPSW, MHPS, CCSS, and soon LADC!) or deciphering emoji texts from Gen Z. My childhood was a whirlwind of music, dance, sports, theater, Girl Scouts, and orchestra, and basically, if it involved a uniform or a stage, I was in.

I wear many hats: counselor, advocate, mentor, student, and occasionally, referee. Returning to college to pursue my LADC has been both humbling and exhilarating, also proof that it’s never too late to chase your calling (or your homework deadlines). My mission? To help young people rediscover their strength, rewrite their stories, and maybe even laugh a little along the way.